World Rhino Day observed across the world

Jitesh Jha

Sep 23, 2015 16:16 IST

22 September: World Rhino DayThe World Rhino Day was observed on 22 September 2015. The day is observed to celebrate all five species of rhino and they are Black, White, Greater one-horned, Sumatran and Javan rhinos.

The World Rhino Day was first announced by WWF-South Africa in 2010. The following year, World Rhino Day grew into an international success, encompassing both African and Asian rhino species, thanks to the efforts of two determined women.

In India, the day was observed with all-day awareness programmes at Kaziranga National Park (Assam), Manas National Park (Assam) and Laokhowa Burachapori (Assam).

Rhinos in NumbersAccording to the organisation Save the Rhino, there are around 29000 rhinoceros left in the world. The number has declined from 5 lakhs rhinos at the turn of the 20th century to 70000 in 1970.

Out of these, in both the wild and in conservation, there are just 5055 black rhinos, 20405 white rhinos, 3333 greater one-horned rhinos, less than 100 Sumatran rhinos and a maximum of 61 Javan rhinos.

There is only one remaining male Northern white rhino named Sudan in Ol Pejeta Conservancy of Kenya.

BackgroundThe day is credited to two women, namely Lisa Jane Campbell of Chishakwe Ranch and Rhishja and it all started with an email.

In mid-2011, Lisa Jane Campbell of Zimbabwe who already was planning ahead for World Rhino Day, searched online for ideas and potential collaborators, and found Rhishja’s blog. Lisa Jane sent Rhishja an email, and the two found they shared a common goal of making World Rhino Day a day of celebration for all five species of rhino.

Since then, World Rhino Day has grown to become a global phenomenon, uniting NGOs, zoos, cause-related organizations, businesses, and concerned individuals from nearly every corner of the world.

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